26 November 2021

Microcassette in Higher Fidelity - An (almost) Complete List

microcassette


microcassette

The microcassette was introduced by Olympus in 1969. The microcassette is significantly smaller than a Compact Cassette but it uses the same width of magnetic tape. Using thinner tape and a 2.4 cm/s standard speed you can have 30 minutes recording time per side, and double that duration at 1.2 cm/s. Unlike the Compact Cassette the tape spools in the opposite direction, from right to left and it is capstan drive just like Compact cassette.

Microcassettes proved to be popular for recording voice in dictation machines and answering machines. However, Microcassettes have also been used as a medium for recording music on Type IV metal tapes. This article presents some of the higher fidelity Microcassette decks that were manufactured for a short period of time in the early 80's.

microcassette
microcassette Capstan Drive

It has to be noted however that before microcassettes, PHILIPS intoduced the minicassette that was featured in the movie A Clockwork Orange but everybody mistakes them by the OLYMPUS microcassettes. They are very similar in size but the Philips minicassette system does not use a capstan for tape transport.

minicassette
A Clockwork Orange movie scene featuring PHILIPS minicassette !!


minicassette
A Clockwork Orange movie scene featuring PHILIPS minicassette !!

An (almost) complete list of Higher Fidelity microcassette recorders:

microcassette
SANYO RD-XM1 (1980)

microcassette
FISHER CRM 500 (1981) Sanyo rebadge



microcassette
JVC D-M3 (1981)

microcassette
Lo-D (Hitachi) D-MC5 (1982)

microcassette
SONY TC-MR2 (1982)

microcassette
Technics RS-M212 (1981)

microcassette
Technics RS-G800 (1982) Tuner-microcassette-amplifier

microcassette
AIWA 3-head, Dual Capstan, Prototype 1981

microcassette
PIONEER MT-C8 (1984)

20 November 2021

TELEFUNKEN TRX 3000 hifi (1978) - Power and Presence

 

hifi receiver

The TRX 3000 was a top of the range Stereo-Quadro Receiver (tuner-amplifier) that was introduced by Telefunken in May 1978. The radio section is a FM-Stereo/AM Quartz Controlled unit with Digital frequency display and 7 pre-sets with touch-control. The amplifier section can be operated in various modes and it is specified at 2x100W 8ohm in Stereo mode and 4x50W 4ohm in Quadro mode. You can connect up to 6 (4ohm) and 2 (8ohm) loudspeakers for various types of operation. One speaker pair can be used in bridged mode for stereo operation delivering 100W/ch in 8ohm mode. Another option is to use two pairs of loudspeakers, each in a different room that can also play different sources (e.g. one room cassette, the other room turntable). The third option is to use the receiver to playback Quadro source material from a Quadro tape recorder or Quadro turntable from SQ, Discrete or CD 4 encoded material. The power output can be monitored via 4 LED power meters while there are two dedicated balance controls for left-right and front-rear balance as well as bass, mid, treble and loudness tone controls. The TRX 3000 has inputs for 2 turntables, 3 tape recorders (2 for Quadro source), 3 headphones, microphone, 1 aux and 1 monitor. All inputs use DIN plugs while some of them are doubled by RCA connectors. Dimensions: 494x163x386 mm

hifi receiver

hifi receiver

hifi receiver

hifi receiver

hifi receiver

hifi receiver




13 November 2021

SONY HMK-77 (1977) - The Hi-Fi Machine

music center

The SONY HMK-77 from 1977 was the top model in the music center lineup. It features a radio section with FM Stereo, AM, LW and SW wavelenghts, FM muting circuit, LED Stereo inidcator and a FM Tuning/Signal Level indicator. There is a very good amplifier section that is rated at 35W/ch @ 8ohm and it features Loudness, Bass, Treble control and high filter. The cassette recorder section is a basic one motor mechanism featuring Sony's own Ferrite&Ferrite heads. Frequency response is 40-16,000 Hz with chrome tape. The cassette recorder also features Dolby noise reduction, 2 VU meters with manual record level and a LED Peak level indicator. The turntable section is equipped with a Direct Drive, S-shaped tonearm model with manual or automatic control. The music system was available in black or silver finish with the usual high quality brushed aluminim fascia. The reccommended speaker model was the SS-2070. A later version of this music center was the HMK-80 with added FM presets, but otherwise it's identical. You can read more about the HMK-80 from the 1001 Hi-Fi Collection here. Dimensions: 663x177x490 mm | Weight: 19.3 kg. 

music center

music center

music center

music center


06 November 2021

SONY SS-G7 (1976) - Carbocon Speaker System

Loudspeaker

An ambitious offering developed by Sony’s audio business group, which had just been formed. The speakers effectively updated the Sony image in this category, with features such as carbon cones, an inline speaker layout (arranged on the same vertical and horizontal axes), and a grooved baffle to prevent standing waves for better acoustics. Audiophiles will also notice other details in the original style, such as the way the woofer edge protrudes from the baffle. The 38cm woofer with a voice coil of 100mm diameter and with low-distortion magnetic circuit reproduces deep and rich bass sound. The 3.5cm tweeter and 10cm nid-range of balanced-drive type has an excellent performance and high linearity that will reproduce a well-balanced sound in high and mid frequencies. The baffle board is grooved in lattice pattern to improve the acoustical effects and directivity. In accordance with your personal preference and the room acoustics, the tweeter and mid-range levels can be adjusted by front panel controls. Specifications: Three-way bass-reflex, 38cm Carbocon woofer, 10cm balanced mid range, 3.5cm balanced dome | Impedance 8 ohm | Power: 100W Nominal, 200W Maximum | Sensitivity 94 dB (1W, 1m) | Frequency range 27 Hz to 25,000 Hz (+4/-8 dB DIN) | Dimensions 510x940x445 mm | Weight 48 kg.


Loudspeaker

Loudspeaker

Loudspeaker

Loudspeaker

Loudspeaker

Loudspeaker

Loudspeaker